We have made this Shepherd’s pie with ground beef and frozen vegetables for years! You can make homemade or as Shepherd’s pie with instant mashed potatoes filled with carrots, peas, green beans and corn it is a comfort food meal we love year round.
This is so easy to throw together with fresh meat or leftovers in a pinch! If you like a hearty meal with thick gravy, vegetables and potatoes then this is it! We’ve got a winner here.
What is Shepherds Pie?
Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British dish made with ground lamb cooked in a savory gravy with vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. If made with ground beef instead of lamb, it’s technically called cottage pie (true in our case) but the names are synonymous nowadays.
If you love quick and easy casseroles, I think this falls into that category! I don’t know about your family but if I asked everyone what their favorite meat was, they would all agree it’s hamburger! It’s just so versatile too!! You can substitute for a lower fat version like ground turkey Shepherds pie, make with leftovers which is why we make it all the time.
Ingredient Notes
I will typically use 80/20 lean Ground beef for this. You will want it browned first unless your meat is already precooked. I do not recommend a lower fat protein like chicken or turkey as it doesn’t have as much flavor but is an alternative.
Let’s make this super easy and make it with a bag of Frozen vegetables shall we? I like one that is mixed personally but that is up to you. Do not defrost them as that will yield a mushy texture, add in right out of the freezer. If you only say like frozen peas, just add that.
I like to also add a bit of yellow or white Onion diced small and softened with the meat.
Salt and pepper are basic seasonings but you can add whatever you normally would to make a pot pie sort of meal.
Beef gravy is used for the sauce, use your favorite variety. I mean you can use homemade or there are jars at the store too.
Mashed potatoes are easily made on stovetop, IP or we’ve even made air fryer mashed potatoes
A 9×13″ casserole or baking dish is really the best size plus a large skillet to brown the meat mixture. Use a wood spatula to break apart and a large spoon to transfer from pan to the dish.
Can you use instant mashed potatoes?
Too busy? Just grab a bag at the store that you just combine with some milk or water and they are instant made in just minutes. You literally use the same things to make it this way, or faster with our Instant Pot shepherds pie instructions.
How to Season Ground Beef for Shepherds Pie
You will want to add salt and pepper for sure and may like some garlic powder or minced garlic for added flavor as well. If sauteeing with onions those will add flavor as well. Taste along the way and adjust to your liking before layering with potatoes.
This is all very easy, we will start with a pan on your stovetop so you can get onions soft and if using leftover taco meat you’ll just add it in for a minute to warm that up. What is great about this type of meat is it’s inexpensive compared to some other cuts, and full of protein.
Variations and Substitutions
Now let’s talk about the best pressure cooker mashed potatoes! You can either choose Russet, Red or Yellow taters…I usually use what I have on hand. (there’s always a bag in our pantry) We load ours with seasonings, sour cream and some butter but that part is up to you.
Whether we make Crockpot shepherds pie or in a glass baking dish like you see here we use the same basic ingredients. Of course you can tweak the seasonings and/or sprinkle some cheese on top if you are into that as well.
Is shepherds pie the same as cottage pie?
Technically since we are using beef vs. lamb it is called cottage instead but the names are used for both depending on whom you’re talking to. If you’re ready for an easy ground beef recipe with tons of flavor your kids will love, we’ve got it here! There are even some “hidden” veggies in there I bet they won’t be able to resist either.
Tips for Success
You’ll want to add the ground beef into a pan with your diced onions and cook over medium high heat. Break up and take off the burner once meat is no longer pink. Then we’ll get to combining ALL THE THINGS!
Get your mashed potatoes cooked and prepared at this time so they’re ready. Stir in your gravy and frozen vegetables with your meat. You can do this right in the pan or in a bowl.
Spread out your mixture evenly across the pan so it bakes at an even rate. I like to taste a bite of it now and see if I want to season with salt a bit more now. Spoon on prepared mashed potatoes smoothed on the top so it’s the same thickness across the dish.
We love to add cheese to the very top too!! Another option, or in addition to, is to add some crispy fried onions to the top too which adds texture and a huge pop of flavor! If you want to add one or the other do so in the last 10 minutes so it can melt and get to a golden brown.
Allow to sit for a good 10 minutes before serving so it can thicken more and solidify a bit.
Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9×9 pan
- 1 pot to make mashed potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 12 oz beef gravy
- 16 oz mixed vegetables, frozen
- 4 cup mashed potatoes, prepared ahead of time
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Drain off any excess grease. Then stir in gravy and vegetables. Spread ground beef mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish.
- Spoon prepared mashed potatoes over top and spread them out evenly. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Let sit for 10 minutes prior to serving so it can thicken up more and solidify.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is really a complete meal so you don’t need any easy side dishes to serve with it. It’s bake and done which I love! Pair with your favorite drink or cold water and BAM…dinner is served.
FAQ
They are kinda’ seen as one in the same depending on whom you ask really. Technically though, both consist of a meat base covered in a potato top crust.
The only real difference between the two is that “Shepherd’s pie” originally was made with ground lamb (hence “shepherd”) Cottage Pie is traditionally made with beef.
Nowadays people make their own versions of both, so no matter how you refer to this almost everyone will know what you’re talking about.
I say use what you have, and the flavors you love. If this is something new to you then follow the recipe exactly and then “tweak” the next time once you’ve got the hang of it. 😉
Other great recipes with ground beef you’ll love
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- Everyone has access to ingredients needed for Ground Beef Casserole with Potatoes loaded with cheese on top!
- Then make our other tater tot ground beef casserole with taters the next night!
Just eat the pie Bob! …… Bahaha
I do agree that you can name it anything and it’s still going to come out good 🙂
Can you use canned vegetables instead of frozen?
yes but they would just get much softer
This recipe was delicious but I did not have gravy so substituted for cream of mushroom soup with some liquid of beef broth and red wine and brought it to a boiled. It was delicious! My kids absolutely loved it! Definitely will be making again.
Delicious! So quick and easy to make! I made it in my round pampered chef stoneware dish and sprinkled shredded cheddar cheese on top. Turned out great!👍🏻
Best shepherd’s pie I have ever made! Yum!
So quick and easy!
Thank you for the great recipe! 😋
Just wondered if you can tell me about how many pouds of potatoes it takes to make the four cups mashed needed for this recipe?
@Carla H, It takes about 2 pounds of potatoes to make the 4 cups
Instead of saying Shepherds Pie with beef, why don’t you just say Cottage Pie? Quit perpetuating the myth of Shepherds Pie with beef.
@Bob,just eat the pie bob..its delicious either way..
@Carrol, Shepherds pie is made with lamb, that’s why it’s called SHEPHERD’S PIE. Beef versions are called either cottage pie or rancher’s pie.
How many potato’s do you need for 4 cups? For the gravy are you just tossing the packet in or making the gravy as listed on the package? For the Parmesan Cheese is it shredded or powder?
The recipe says 12 oz so I’m guessing its the pre made canned gravy instead of the packet. I wasnt sure either and saw that when I double checked 🙂
Not sure if it matters about parmesan cheese, probably just what you prefer.
And potatoes, im not sure. Maybe a dozen medium ones?
The potatoes being used in the recipe I suspect are instant though about 2 pounds of raw potatoes should make enough for the 4 cups mashed.